Arm Lift

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Arm Lift

An arm lift, also known as brachioplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess fat and skin to reshape the arm for a more contoured appearance.

Overview

As one of the area’s highly skilled cosmetic surgeons, We offer brachioplasty at our plastic surgery centers. This procedure, also known as an arm lift, removes excess skin, sometimes called “bat wings,” from the elbow to the axilla. It is a very powerful contouring procedure that significantly improves the patient’s ability to fit into clothing. Most men and women seek an arm lift after significant weight loss from diet and exercise, a gastric bypass or gastric sleeve procedure. Patients interested in an arm lift should be at their stabilized, ideal weight.

During The Surgery

An arm lift is performed under general anesthesia in a hospital or outpatient facility. The procedure could take between 1 and 2 hours to complete. The arm lift may be performed with other body contouring procedures, such as a tummy tuck or breast lift. However, there is a limit to how many procedures can be performed at once safely. The surgeon makes an ellipse excision of skin at the posterior medial aspect of the upper arm. If there is additional excess skin, an additional excision is made in the axilla. The scar is well hidden in the posterior medial aspect of the arm.

Recovery

Dressings are typically applied over the incisions and carefully wrapped in a supportive bandage. There are typically no sutures to remove because there are multiple layers of self-absorbing sutures below the skin. Small, outside suture tails are usually trimmed within 7-10 days. Strenuous activity and heavy lifting will need to be avoided for several months. It can take a few months for all of the swelling to clear up, and the scars will fade over time.

FAQ

Combination Procedure?

The upper arm lift is often combined with other body contouring procedures, such as a breast lift, tummy tuck or liposuction. However, there is a limit to how many procedures can be done at the same time safely as it relates to surgical recovery and amount of time the surgery takes.

When Can I Go Back To Work?

Every person recovers differently. The recovery period depends on how many procedures have performed at the same time. The average return to work for the standard arm lift is 2-3 weeks.

When Can I Exercise?

The average return to routine upper arm exercises is no sooner than two months. Post-operative swelling usually persists for several months after an arm lift.

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